AMU Cyber & AI Homeland Security Intelligence Privacy Terrorism

Cybersecurity and ISIL Feature in Obama’s State of the Union Address

By Glynn Cosker
Managing Editor, In Homeland Security

President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, his first with the daunting reality of an upcoming Republican majority in the Senate and the House, featured his thoughts on the need for better national cybersecurity, the war in Afghanistan and the battle against ISIL.

“No foreign nation, no hacker, should be able to shut down our networks, steal our trade secrets or invade the privacy of American families, especially our kids,” stated Obama on the need for improved cybersecurity in the wake of the apparent North Korean hack of Sony Entertainment and other  cyber attacks in recent months. “We are making sure that our government integrates intelligence to combat cyber threats, just as we have done to combat terrorism.” The president urged the new Congress to pass laws to better meet the threats of cyber attacks and identity theft, calling on a bipartisan effort.

Barack Obama State of the Union cybersecurity
President Obama greets Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.

Regarding America’s involvement with the Global War on Terror, Obama said that “for the first time since 9/11, our combat mission in Afghanistan is over,” adding that “we salute the courage and sacrifice of every man and woman in this 9/11 generation who has served to keep us safe—we are humbled and grateful.”

Obama offered a voice of solidarity when he spoke of the atrocious terrorists attacks of recent months in various nations.

“We stand united with people all around the world who have been targeted by terrorists—from a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris,” stated the president to a standing ovation—one of many on the night. “We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks, and we reserve the right to act unilaterally.”

It was expected that Obama’s speech would center on the growing threat of ISIL, and the president did not disappoint. His comments were greeted with optimism from the Democratic side of the chamber but with apparent skepticism from the Republican side.

“Instead of sending large ground forces overseas, we’re partnering with nations from South Asia to North Africa to deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten America,” stated Obama. “In Iraq, in Syria, American leadership—including our military power—is stopping ISIL’s advance. Instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the Middle East, we are leading a broad coalition including Arab nations to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist group.”

“I call on this Congress to show the world that we are united in this mission by passing a resolution to authorize the use of force against ISIL.”

President Obama also called on Congress to end the embargo on Cuba, quoting Pope Francis by saying that “diplomacy is the work of small steps,” before introducing former prisoner Alan Gross.

Regarding Iran and the growing threat of its possibly expanding nuclear arsenal, the president stated that “the American people only expect us to go to war as a last resort; and I intend to stay true to that wisdom.”

The speech, his penultimate as president, had few (if any) controversial moments, and whether the new Republican-led Congress will enact any of Obama’s hoped legislation remains to be seen.

 

 

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